It was midmorning, and the police station was alive with activity , phones ringing, files thudding, keyboards tapping. Yet beneath the surface, everyone moved with a quiet sense of alertness. Because when the SP was in the building, even routine tasks felt like walking on a tightrope.
Behind the closed door of the SP's cabin, the muffled sounds of an argument were growing steadily louder.
"Do you even understand what that negligence means, Ritesh?" Vikram's voice boomed, his tone sharp and echoing.
An awkward silence hung for a beat.
Then came a loud thud , the sound of a file being slammed on the desk, followed by Vikram's commanding voice echoing again, laced with cold anger.
"How can you be so fucking careless? Dhang se check nahi kar sakte? Uniform kyu pehena hai if you can't even follow a basic protocol. Do you know what your carelessness will cost us?" He gritted his teeth in anger, veins popping on his neck.
"You fucking let a criminal pass. We could have had our hands on him. Just because of your negligence he slipped off. Now dhundte raho usko dusre 8 mahine tak. I am quitting this. And i will make sure you do too" he whispered the last line harshly.
Ritesh who had his head lowered down in shame and regret immediately looked up hearing the last line. And he damn knew what he meant. His eyes widened in fear of losing his job.
"S-sir please. Please. I am so sorry. I won't repeat it again. I swear sir. I regret it very deeply. Sir please-
"Enough!" Vikram's voice thundered cutting his pleadings off. Ritesh looked at him with tears filled eyes. His hands shook in fear.
Outside, constables paused mid-task, some exchanging glances, others lowering their heads into files. The station grew still for a moment, like air before a monsoon. Even the tea boy stopped mid-pour.
Infront of a lady inspector stood Thabal next to her friend Tara. Both were speaking with the woman inspector about Tara's stolen scooty. The smell of old paper, ink, and disinfectant hung in the air, blending with faint street noises from outside.
"So you say you parked it near the canteen?" the inspector asked, her pen hovering over a half-filled complaint sheet.
"Yes, just after our lecture ended," Tara replied nervously. Before the inspector could ask more, a sudden loud crash echoed from the SP's cabin. A file had clearly been slammed down.
"This isn't some watch job. ITS FUCKING POLICE" The loud crash and Vikram's voice made all three of them jump. Everyone quietened, gulping. Fearing their senior's fury. The loudness of Vikram's voice seemed to vibrate through the walls. Thabal stiffened on instinct. Finding the voice very familiar.
"Who was that?" Tara whispered to the lady inspector. The woman gave a knowing sigh and shook her head.
"That's SP Vikram Sharma. Ek mahine pehle idhar posting huwa tha unka. Our officer in charge" she answered.
"Hamesha asa chillate hai?" Tara asked, eyes wide.
"Not always. He nevers if dekha jaye toh. Vikram sir is a very quiet and reserved person. You might find him boring but you would thank God for him being silent and cold. The day he starts speaking, God bless you. Kahi ka nahi chodenge" the inspector replied, shaking her head.
Two constables standing near the corner exchanged whispers.
"Yaar Ritesh sir ki toh lag gayi" one muttered with a tsked. Feeling pity for the other officer.
"He should have known woh kiske andar kam kar rahe hai" the other shrugged, as if knowing it was coming.
"Haan woh bhi hai" the other constable agreed.
Thabal's eyes flicked toward the cabin door. She had seen Vikram serious, composed, even protective. But never like this. This wasn't just anger. This was authority unleashed. A man who had borne the weight of uniform and discipline now losing his control.
And just then. The cabin door flung open with suddenness that cut through the room. Vikram stepped out. All eyes snapped to him.
He looked formidable, sleeves rolled halfway up his arms, shirt creased from tension, a thick file still in his hand, and eyes ablaze with fury. His presence was magnetic. Even silence dared not linger too long near him.
"Shinde!" he called, voice echoing through the corridor. Shinde seated at a nearby desk jumped, papers nearly flying off his lap. He immediately rushed infront of him.
"Y-yes sir" Vikram strode forward, his boots heavy against the polished floor. He was halfway through launching into another reprimand when his gaze shifted.
And landed on her. Thabal. She was standing right there, just five steps away. Her eyes wide in quiet surprise, a flicker of concern in their depths. The air stilled between them.
And just like that something inside Vikram shifted. Vikram faltered. His mouth closed. The anger in his chest hit a strange pause. The lines on his forehead relaxed just a bit. He blinked once, and then seemed to remember himself.
Clearing his throat, he straightened his posture and smoothed a hand over his shirt's collar, trying to brush off the rough edges of his outburst. He adjusted his voice.
"Baad pe baat karenge" he said, his voice calm and cool now. The scary loud voice gone. Shinde nodded quickly and scurried away, internally thanking God 10 times for saving him.
Vikram exhaled through his nose and turned toward the complaint desk. His tone, now even and composed, addressed the woman inspector.
"What's the matter?" He asked in his usual commanding time. The inspector immediately stood up in respect.
"Stolen scooty report, sir. In the college campus. Yeh do ladkiya aayi hai complain karane. I was about to file it" she said briskly. Vikram gave a short nod, but then, unexpectedly, moved toward the desk.
"I'll write the report" he said. The inspector blinked. Eyes widening as if not believing what she heard.
"S-sir?" She stuttered in disbelief.
"You heard me" he said flatly, removing the pen from his shirt pocket. The inspector moved away without a word, eyes wide. It was rare, unheard of, for Vikram Sharma, the district SP, to fill out theft forms personally.
Thabal watched him, arms folded across her chest, eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion and fascination. It was hard not to notice the shift. That barely there smile when he saw her. The way he cleared his throat to soften his voice. The sudden re-composure in his gait.
Vikram pulled out a chair, with his pen gestured slightly for them to come forward. Thabal hesitated. He didn't even glance at her directly now, he was wearing his official face again. But as she stepped forward, and their hands brushed briefly over the edge of the desk, she caught the flicker of something else in his eyes.
The storm had passed. And maybe, just maybe, it was her who had calmed it.
The station's air had shifted, not just from the echoes of raised voices, but from the way Vikram Sharma now sat at the complaint desk, his tall frame hunched slightly over a form, pen gliding silently across the paper.
Tara glanced nervously between him and Thabal, clearly sensing something unusual. But didn't say anything.
"Name?" he asked without looking up.
"T-Tara Yadav" her friend answered, startled at being addressed directly.
"Age?"
"Twenty two"
"Make and model of the vehicle?"
"Activa, 2019 model, red-" Vikram's pen stilled for a second. Then he turned slightly toward Thabal, finally speaking to her, not as an officer, but as someone he knew.
"And the registration number of the scooty?" Thabal leaned in, opening her notes app and reading the number aloud for Tara. As she did, her voice brushed the air softly, like a breeze against his stern exterior.
Vikram's hand paused slightly. Then resumed. As he continued writing, Thabal couldn't help but glance at the side of his face, the sharp jawline still tight from the earlier outburst, the furrow in his brows slowly softening. His lips pressed in a straight line, focused.
"Where was the scooty parked last?" he asked, still formal.
"Near the college canteen, sir" Tara answered.
"Time?"
"Around 1:30, sir." He nodded.
"Did you notice anyone loitering?"
"No, sir." Vikram finally looked up, not at Tara but at Thabal. Their eyes met for the second time that morning.
This time, it was slower. The sharpness in his stare now dulled, warmed. And for a split second, the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Was she with you the whole time?" he asked Thabal directly. She blinked, a little caught off guard by the question and the softening of his tone.
"Hmm? Yes. From class to the canteen. She didn't leave it unattended for long" she answered, trying to keep her voice neutral. Vikram nodded, and then wrote a few more lines. The file closed with a soft click.
"I'll assign someone to check the CCTV footage from the entrance gate" he said, turning to the woman inspector who now stood silently beside him.
"Have this uploaded into the system and send a copy to the college warden"
"Yes, sir"
"We'll call you if there's any update. We'll get it traced. If it's not been dismantled already, you'll have it back in two or three days." He said turning to Tara. She nodded quickly, still clearly amazed that the highest-ranking officer in the station had just taken her statement personally.
As Vikram handed over the duplicate form, his fingers brushed against Thabal's again lightly, like a spark passed quietly. And this time, it was her who didn't look away.
"Thank you, sir" she said. A hint of teasingness dripping which only Vikram could get. He raised a brow, slowly standing upright.
They turned to go. Thabal hesitated just slightly, turning her head halfway back toward him. Vikram's eyes flickered to Thabal once more. He didn’t say anything. But there it was, the subtle lift of an eyebrow, the barest curve of his mouth. A small signal meant just for her.
And just like that, they walked away. But from behind, the constables and the lady inspector all exchanged confused glances. The terrifying SP smiling?
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Later that evening Thabal along with the other two stepped out of their rooms, climbing down the stairs. The three of them wearing a knee length frock, matching each other. A bag slung across their shoulders.
Shreya sighed flicking her ponytail.
"I still can't believe Sir gave us extra assignments on a weekend" she groaned with a stomp on the stairs. Meera smirked at that and chuckled.
"He probably knows we don't have a life" Thabal laughed at it, agreeing.
"Haan yaar issbar kuch jyada hi diya hai. I don't know time management kaise hoga" she muttered thinking about the amount of assignments piled up.
Meera yawned and stretched her arms lazily.
"Yaar my brain is still in nap mode" she whined with a pout. Shreya chuckled and shook her head at her antics.
"Your brain is always in nap mode" she fired a remark with a smirk. Thabal snickered at it, grinning wide.
"Well galat toh nahi bola" she muttered. Meera frowned and threw a fake glare at them.
"I seriously need new friends" They laugh, enjoying the moment of togetherness. They walked out of the building. The sky was bathed in warm, golden hue of the setting sun. Birds flutter across the sky. The faint sounds of hostel chatter echo in the background.
As they walk a few more steps down the hostel building towards the main gate, something catches Thabal’s eye. A very familiar gleaming black jeep parked a little away from the gate. Leaning casually against it, wearing sunglasses despite the dimming light, was Vikram.
Tall, effortlessly cool, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Seeing him Thabal all of a sudden in her steps. Eyes widening a bit in surprise. What was he doing here? That too at this time. Meera and Shreya followed her gaze, and when they spot him, their steps slowed down too. Meera lets out a soft, teasing whistle.
"Ohh hooo! Dekho toh kon hai" she winked playfully. Shreya smirked at it.
"Lagta hai banda bohot time se wait kar raha hai" She added.
"Pehle college gate ke bahar. Aaj hostel ke bahar. Ahem ahem" Meera coughed dramatically with a grin. Thabal's heartbeat quickens. She wasn't expecting him, not here, not today. A thousand questions flood her mind, before she knew, her feet automatically went towards him.
She stopped abruptly infront of him. Her lips parted slightly in amusement.
"Aap idhar kya kar rahe hai?" She asked, her tone filled with surprise. Vikram smirked slightly. He removed his glasses and looked at her, straight in her eye.
"Going for tuition?" He asked, his tone calm and voice low.
"H-haan. Lekin aap kya kar rahe ho idhar. Woh bhi iss wakt" she asked in confusion.
"Came to pick you up" he shrugged with a smirk. Making her narrow her eyes at him. The two girls came behind her and patted her shoulders.
"Chal we would be going. Tuition pe milte hai" Meera said with a smile.
"Dhyan se jana" shreya smirked playfully. Before they turn and leave Vikram stop them.
"Tum dono bhi aajawo. I will drop you three off" he offered. Making the two shake their heads.
"No no sir. It's okay. We will go by ourselves" Shreya immediately denied.
"Haan sir, we don't want to be a third wheel waise bhi" Meera added with a sheepish smile. Hearing it Vikram chuckled whereas Thabal was all red.
"You won't. I insist. It's getting dark. It's not safe to travel alone" he suggested. The girls took a moment to think before nodding hesitantly.
Meera opened the back door and entered in along with Shreya. Vikram opened the passenger door for Thabal, letting her settled in comfortably, before going to his seat. The door closes with a soft thud.
As Vikram starts the engine, the cold, gentle wind of the evening started fanning over the face. Thabal sneaks a side glance at him with a slight smile. A soft, gentle, genuine smile.
"Waise Thabal. We will put ear pods in. Toh tum freely baat karlena" Shreya cleared her throat with a wink. Making Thabal chuckled softly at her dramatic nature. She shook her head and looked out of the window. She liked his care. The way he cares even for her friends. It did something to her heart. Something warm and beautiful.
Vikram looked at her watching the serene sunset. Just a small upward twitch of his lips, a smile meant only for her.
"Kya soch rahi ho?" He asked gently, seeing her lost in thought. Thabal turned to him and smiled.
"Kuch nahi" she shook her head.
"Waise aapko kaise pata aaj mera tuition hai?" She asked him with a raised brow. Vikram smiled slightly before answering.
"Ussi din hum pehli baar mile the. Checkpoint pe. Remember?" He asked, leaning a bit towards her. Although it wasn't the entire truth. For Vikram he saw her for the first time in a traffic. But she didn't need to know it now. Maybe someother day.
"Ohhh" she widened her eyes in realisation.
"Damn! Aapka remembrance skill kabilye tarif hai" she bowed her head towards him dramatically, causing him to let out a chuckle at her antics.
"Shukriya" he smiled with a slight grin. Focusing back on the road.
"Waise usually aapse kya sare policewale darte hai?" She asked tilting her head with playfulness twinkling in her eyes. Vikram groaned slightly but nevertheless let out a small laugh.
"Bhul jaw uss chiz ko" he said, a small smile tugging over the corner of her lips.
"Impossible! Now answer my question" Thabal grinned, leaning towards him a little.
"Mujhe kya pata. Darte honge" he shrugged carelessly, making her giggle.
"Darte honge nahi darte hai. Ekdam gande wale. Asa lagta hai aapne unke upar pura dictatorship kiya huwa hai" she laughed making him chuckle and shake his head. Moving the steering wheel with his right hand, he opened the glove compartment with his other free and searched something inside.
Thabal accidentally happen to settle her eyes on his hand. Not just hand, veins decorated hand. The silver watch acting as cherry on top. Thabal gulped looking at it, her throat dried all of a sudden. There was a side of her that no one knew. She have a really freaky side. And her weakness was beautiful veiny hands. It did something to her. Tingle running all over her body.
Not so good thoughts running inside her mind. Her chain of thoughts snapped when Vikram snapped his finger infront of her. Thabal looked up to see him looking at her with a gaze full of confusion.
"Kya huwa?" He asked softly to which she just shook her head. And turned away. Cheeks warmed up. Ahghhh! What was she even thinking? How could she let her unholy thoughts take over?
Suddenly a can of juice appeared infront of her. She looked at her right to see Vikram extending it to her. With a soft sigh she took it from him, opened it and chugged down the soft drink. Her ears still burning up. She quickly shook her head trying to bring her mind to the right place.
Silence stretched in the jeep but this one, like always between them, felt full rather than empty. She turned to him after a few moments.
"Sir, I was thinking" she started, a lazy drag to the sentence. Earning a hum from him.
"You should still learn some Manipuri phrases" she smiled to which he raised a brow.
"Issbar kya bolne wali ho? Yehi ki mein bohot gussa karta hoon?" He joked with a slight smirk making her laugh.
"Aare no no. I swear i won't. I will only teach you nice nice phrases" she promised, yet her eyes shined with mischievousness.
He narrowed his eyes playfully at her.
"I don't really trust you in this matter" he shook his head making her giggle in return.
"So, how do you say 'take care'? " He asked. To which Thabal took a moment before answering.
"Eie ng nungshi" she said slowly and clearly, for him to understand. Vikram nodded slowly and repeat it slowly to himself.
(I love you)
"Sachmein yahi haina?" He asked to which she nodded quickly with a beaming smile.
"How are you?" He asked again to which she answered correctly this time.
"Nungairibo" she said making him scrunch his nose slightly at the pronounciation.
(How are you?)
"Kya ribo?" He asked to which she let out a giggle.
"Nungairibo" she repeated again, slowly and clearly. Making him nod in understatement.
"Aap bhojpuri kyu nahi sikhate?" She asked curiously, smile sitting on her lips. Vikram turned to her with a raised brow.
"Sikhna hai?" He asked with a slight smirk making her nod immediately with a bright smile.
"Kya sikhna hai?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Kuch bhi sikhado" she said to which he smirked. Wrong move.
"tu hamra ke bohot kuchh mahsus kravt baru" he said, his tone soft and small. A flutter feeling spreading across his chest.
(You make me feel things)
"Kya matlab iska?" She asked to which he smirked.
"Yahi ki you are too talkative" he clicked his tongue against his inner cheeks playfully.
"Lagta toh nahi. Tone alag hi keh raha tha" she raised a brow at him to which he just laughed.
"Sach keh raha hoon toh" he tried convincing. Behind them Meera snickered and cleared her throat.
"Sir, ham bhojpuri jant bani" and Vikram immediately bit his lower lip, muttering a small 'shit' to himself.
(Sir, I know bhojpuri)
"okra ke mat btain" he muttered to her to which she smirked and saluted dramatically.
(Don't tell her)
"Okay sir!" Shreya and Thabal just looked at each other in confusion.
"Kya bol rahe ho" Thabal asked Vikram with a frown to which the latter just chuckled.
"Kuch nahi. Nothing important" he shook his head. Thabal scowled but didn't said anything. Her eyes fall on the road and eyes widened in recognition.
"Woh samne samne. Left pe rukho" she tapped on his arm in rush. Vikram nodded and stopped the jeep just where she said to.
She along with the girls opened the door and climbed down, closing it back. Thabal turned back to Vikram and smiled, waving at him.
"Kab khatam hoga?" He asked.
"7:30 tak khatam hojayega" she thought and answered. Vikram nodded in return. Thabal looked at him, holding a eye contact for few seconds before she turned her back to him and started walking along with her friends until he called.
"Thabal!" She abruptly stopped and turned back with a raised brow.
"Eie ng nungshi" he shouted a little, with a smile. Thabal immediately froze in her place. Heartbeat fastening in a light like speed. For a moment she forgot the fact that he didn't know the meaning of the words. The intensity of the voice he said, the words. It echoed inside her ear, as if he really meant it. She gulped a little not knowing what to say. She said it as a joke but didn't know it would backfire on her that too like this.
(I love you)
"And you look more beautiful in this frock" he added, this time with a brighter smile. Chuckling at the end. Thabal smiled at it, a big one. Cheeks reddened. She turned back and continuing walking, her steps fast and unsteady.
Leaving a smiling Vikram back.
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Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties🐻🍓
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